We are passionate supporters of public libraries here at Pages Unbound. But there are still awesome services and programs I would love to see libraries provide! Here are ten cool ideas that would get me in the library doors.

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Cat Cafe

I love cats, so what's not to love about the cat cafe? In this program, shelters bring some cats to the library, where patrons can read/visit with their feline friends. And, hopefully, some cats will be adopted by the end!

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Library Subscription Box

Some libraries have started offering subscription boxes to make these more accessible to people who may not be able to afford to subscribe to something like OwlCrate. However, most of these programs seem to be geared towards teens in an effort to make reading cool. I support making reading cool. I also think, however, that it would be cool for adults to be able to get in on the fun!

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Library of Things

I really love the idea of libraries loaning out everything from power tools to baking pans to seeds. Not everyone wants to buy a specialty item that they might use one time, so libraries of things can be quite helpful for the person who, say, needs a bundt pan one time or just does not want to buy 20 puzzles for their child who soon tires of the same toys. They also help with sustainability so people do not have to buy a bunch of things they do not intend to use often.

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Read to a Dog (for Grown-Ups)

These programs are usually targeted towards children, who can gain reading confidence by reading to a furry friend who won't judge them for any mispronounced words or other mistakes. But I would totally go to the library to read to a dog--and I'm sure many other adults would, too!

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Pop Culture Events (for Grown-Ups)

All the cool Marvel trivia nights and so forth seem to be for teens, but adults like pop culture, too! Adult programming at my library often seems really niche or educational, but adults like having fun and meeting people just as much as anyone else.

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Board Game Night (Also for Grown-Ups)

Yet another program typically offered for families or for teens, but not strictly for grown-ups who want to come by themselves and meet new people. A lot of adults love strategy games, card games, and party games, though, and making friends gets a lot harder as one ages and is not hanging out every day with the same group of people. It would be great if the library had a low-key event like this where I could socialize, since I'm not into the bar scene.

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Bookmobile Stops Close to Me

There is something incredibly magical about stepping onto a tiny truck full of books. If the bookmobile stopped anywhere in my vicinity, I would definitely want to check it out, and I'd probably be able to get my friends to come, too.

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Arcade Game Night

Who doesn't love retro arcade games? Typically bars seem to offer arcade game nights, but I'm sure libraries could get in on the fun and attract large crowds, too!

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Community Projects

Libraries tend to offer more participation opportunities to kids, who can write reviews everyone can read, or have their books "published" on the shelf, or do artwork to be displayed. But I think adults would love to interact more with the library, too! It would be so fun if they could have a book display curated by patrons, an art project collaborated on by the community, and so on.

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Summer Reading for Adults

Libraries tend to go all-out for summer reading for kids to help combat summer slide. But why not get adults in on the fun? Kids are pretty smart, and they will recognize when they are being given incentives to read, but their parents and other adults in the community seem to be able to go through life without ever cracking open a book. Why not get adults reading as role models for the community, while also doing something fun for the adults who are already avid readers and big library supporters? I'd definitely be showing up all summer if I had the chance to win cool prizes for doing something I already love to do--read!

What services would you like to see at the library?

*Inspired by Briana's 20 Discussion Post Ideas for Your Blog in 2020

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